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From dogs to cats

Members of the Mountain View Middle School choir try to stay in step as they prepare to perform the Disney musical, “Aristocats,” Feb. 27 and 28 at the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center.

— image credit: Charles Melton/staff photo

Last year, the Mountain View Middle School (MVMS) choir went to the dogs for its spring performance, so perhaps it is only fitting this year’s musical take on a more feline feel.

The MVMS choir will perform the Disney musical, “Aristocats,” at Mountain View Middle School at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27 and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28. Admission is $3 per person or $10 per family.

The musical centers around a mother cat named Duchess and her three kittens who live in a mansion in France. During the course of their owner’s discussion about the proper recipient of her inheritance, they take a wild ride across the city with an alley cat before ending up, as in all Disney stories, living happily ever after.

“Last year, we did dogs, so this year we had to do cats,” MVMS choir director Wendy McPhetres said with a laugh as the group took a brief break during Tuesday afternoon’s rehearsal, referring to last year’s musical, “101 Dalmatians.”

A total of 75 students auditioned for the 35 parts in this year’s musical, McPhetres said, adding the turnout was great, but made for some challenging decisions.

Eighth-grader Kiara Serantes, who plays one of the lead characters, Duchess, said she hopes to use her experience in the musical as a springboard for her singing career.

“I would love to do something on Broadway,” Serantes said, adding that “Aristocats” is her second such performance with the MVMS choir.

While the musical is slightly different than the Disney movie, Serantes said the whole experience has been enjoyable because “people are really into it this year.”

Gabby Dubos and Tricia Coyle, both seventh-graders, said the MVMS version is better than Disney’s simply “because we’re in it,” and added that they have enjoyed participating in this year’s musical.

“It’s different because it doesn’t have as many songs (as the movie),” Dubos said.

One of the main differences between the movie and the musical is the musical is only 30 minutes long, McPhetres said, noting that its duration makes it more family friendly.

Each of the students performing next weekend will gain something from the experience, which could bode well for their future endeavors, she said.

“This helps them prepare for high school productions and to be part of that,” she said.

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